Impulse control disorders in the ICD-11

Abstract

This article deals with the new diagnostic guidelines in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11) in the chapter on Impulse Control Disorders. The diagnoses pyromania and kleptomania remain almost unchanged. The diagnosis of Pathological Gambling loses its status as Impulse Control Disorder and becomes part of the new chapter of Behavioral Addictions. New in the chapter on Impulse Control Disorders is the resumption of the diagnosis Intermittent Explosive Disorder and the new, controversially discussed diagnosis Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder. The article compares changes in diagnostic guidelines between the ICD-11 and its predecessor version (ICD-10), picks up on current discussions surrounding the chapter on Impulse Control Disorders, and describes clinically and forensically relevant implications of the modified and newly introduced diagnoses.